Should the remains of Franklin expedition sailors found via DNA be reburied in Greenland or returned to Britain?
Franklin Expedition DNA Poll: Repatriation vs Local Burial
A groundbreaking genetic study has successfully identified four members of Sir John Franklin's doomed 1845 Arctic expedition by analyzing DNA from their living descendants. This scientific breakthrough offers a definitive resolution to a long-standing mystery surrounding the fate of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. The identification allows historians to distinguish the sailors from local Inuit oral histories, which had previously been the primary source of information regarding the crew's final days. The discovery has sparked a complex debate regarding the ethical treatment of the remains, which were reportedly found with clear signs of cannibalism. Proponents of reburial in Greenland argue that the sailors spent their final years there and deserve to rest near the site of their suffering. Conversely, supporters of repatriation emphasize the sailors' British origins and the potential for historical preservation and public education in the United Kingdom. This poll seeks to gauge public opinion on how best to honor these historical figures given the new scientific evidence available.
Options
- Rebury locally in Greenland where found
- Repatriate remains to Britain
- Keep remains in Canadian archives
- Allow families to decide individually